Pirated DVDs

I know it’s bad and I know I shouldn’t buy them….but I do. I just can’t help it. In my defense you can rarely get the original version here (or watch the shows as AFN is always at least one season behind), instead you have to order online, pay shipping, and it takes forever to arrive. Satisfaction is greater when I pay only 1KD per disc and watch the movie or show immediately. I even have a guy that comes to the office with a suitcase full – can’t get much easier than that!

Movies currently in the theaters are available, sure you might get a head in the way from time to time or hear the audience commentary, but that’s all part of the fun. I would rather watch from my own home than in a movie theater with some stranger next to me any day. I really dislike movie theaters, such a strange concept to me. Who wants to try to relax and watch a movie with a bunch of weirdos? I don’t buy fake watches, or bags, or sunglasses but I can’t seem to refrain from the DVDs.

Entrepreneur thoughts

Yesterday was a very unmotivated day. Internet/email wasn’t working properly. Not that I didn’t have loads of other work that could be done, but some days any excuse is a good reason to goof off. The American guys (I have an office of over 50 employees and only 4 of us are American! I love it) wanted to go to Early Bird so of course I was in! It is my second favorite restaurant in Kuwait.

Breakfast is definitely my favorite meal and very hard to find American breakfast in Kuwait. Most breakfast options consist of an entirely different concept than ours. However about a month ago I heard about Early Bird. It is this tiny little restaurant in Mangaf operated by an American living in Kuwait. It seats maybe 20 people and stays consistently busy.


It is open from 5 am – 3 pm daily and only serves breakfast. The food is excellent and very reasonably priced, actually cheap by Kuwait standards - KD 5 or so (about $20 per person for a meal, drink, and tip).

*To be noted – pork is forbidden as it is a Muslim country so bacon, sausage, etc… is not of the pork variety.

Of course I find these places when it is time to leave, not when I first arrive! I think this would be a fun concept for CB. Unless you want to drive to West Omaha, our breakfast options are scarce. I don’t like the chains (except for Cracker Barrel) and the Old Market only serves brunch on Sundays. We could cater to the worker bees during the week and offer up fancy Brunch options on Saturdays and Sundays (of course to include mimosas, bloody mary’s, etc…). I even found the perfect building for lease in the Haymarket area. This seems to be an up and coming area right now.

Any investors?

Jazeera sale

Of course,

This comes exactly two days after I purchased my ticket to Bahrain. Such is my luck, I could have saved over $100 (as the ticket price is KD 1 but you still pay taxes)!! The only saving grace is that it’s for travel as of January 18th and we are leaving on the 16th. But really I didn’t care what weekend we went, could have waited till the next weekend. I am staying at a bargain hotel – the Gulf Gate, its only BHD20 (about $78) a night!

Don’t be fooled, I didn’t choose the hotel and am actually quite worried about it. One review on tripadvisor.com stated it was “disgusting”. Perfect! I wasn't even able to find a good photo of the hotel.... Had I been the planner it would have been the Ritz Carlton Bahrain.

Or if I had a sugar daddy, the Banyan Tree Al Areen.

I am trying to not be a Diva and go with the flow – so the Gulf Gate it is. I will definitely purchase alcohol at duty free and begin drinking immediately upon arrival to ease any pain I may encounter.

This sale makes me contemplate squeezing in one more last minute trip to Dubai or Doha! Bargain flights I like, whereas bargain hotels - not so much.

Arraigned marriages

Today I was informed that N, one of my maintenance contractors, got married while on leave (most of the maintenance contractors are Indian). It was an arraigned marriage. Before N left he told his fellow coworkers that he was NOT going to get married as he wasn’t ready (he knew his mom had picked out a bride for him). In the end N gave in but does not plan to bring the new wifey back to Kuwait. N wants “to keep his freedom”. Doesn’t that sound like most of the American men working overseas sans wife, aka Geographical Bachelors!! Some thought processes cross all cultures.

During the discussion I asked S and A if their marriages were arraigned or not. One was and one was a love marriage. 90% of marriages in India are arraigned and the success rate is higher when an arraigned v. love marriage. Interesting. One of my real estate agents, W, was recently married and it was arraigned as well (W is Jordanian), his mother picked out his bride and W had only met her twice before the marriage. Just another example of how different other countries and cultures are from the US.

I was told by S that I should get married this year when I return home as I am bordering on too old already, that in India by the time you hit your 40’s you have grandchildren not new babies. Thanks S.

Aeisha says thanks!

I know I know, this post makes me a crazy cat lady. But I can’t help it. Since Aeisha wasn’t in Council Bluffs for Christmas I brought her Christmas present from Grandpa and Grandma back with me to Kuwait.


Playing with her new toys. They were a hit.


The red feathers all over the place were from another of the toys from Christmas – she destroys feather toys! Thanks Grandpa and Grandma can’t wait to see you in a month!!

Christmas Break Recap

Christmas break was amazing. The highlight was definitely the offer of a new position as an attorney with the US Army Corps of Engineers in Omaha!! I can’t wait to start in March.

Christmas was great – between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day I was able to spend time with my entire family which is rare. What recession? The aftermath of Christmas Morning.

A little last minute tree preparation – hey I have an excuse I didn’t get home till December 23rd and we went to the Manheim Concert that night so really no time.

Christmas dinner at my house.


My wonderful family.





My 30th Birthday party hosted by my super generous parents – even though my dad was none to thrilled, or at least had to pretend not to be – at the Indian Oven.







From there the Dubliner which turned into after hours at my house.



A new 4X4 to navigate the crazy winter weather that comes with living in the Midwest, so not looking forward to that part of moving home. It’s rugged, 4 wheel drive, but luxurious all in one.


I of course should have never taken the little brother along as instead of purchasing the bare minimum standard Jeep I ended up with the Jeep Unlimited Sahara which includes leather seats, GPS navigation, Sirius radio, the works.

The break wouldn’t have been complete without celebrating New Years Eve! We started off with Champagne cocktails at my house.

Next up Regal Lanes for very classy bowling. Hey it was entertaining and better than sitting at the bar all night.




And finally Barleys for a final drink (or two).





These are only a few of the fun events. Many more I don’t have photos of such as Court and I’s girl day, my mom and I’s fun filled Happy Hour at the Saki Bomber Lounge, my dad and I's traditional Xmas Eve shopping and lunch at La Bouvette, lots of dinners with my grandpa, time in DC with Kimberly, the list could go on.

I also attended a funereal for an Uncle that lost the battle he was fighting with cancer. Very sad but he is in a better place now enjoying life with my grandmas and grandpa. It was a great chance to see his family, as these are relatives I really like and have fun with.

Happily back in Kuwait and back in the grind

This was my motivation to return to Kuwait.

My crazy little kitty. I was so happy to see her – especially after the scare the other day when she couldn’t be found. Aeisha followed me around everywhere from the moment I walked through the door and of course slept with me last night. If I ever get a serious boyfriend I am sure this is going to go over brilliantly. We’ll see how much she likes me in about a month when I stick her in a cage for 24 hours to bring her home.

I am trying for a positive outlook this morning so decided to quickly come up with all the reasons I am excited to be back in Kuwait, even though realistically I wish I were starting my new position in Omaha. It was great to get up this morning and work out at home.

 I am also excited that I can run outside later today without having to bundle up or worry about slipping on ice. While we are talking weather I am VERY grateful it was already 10 degrees Celsius at 6 am this morning. Definitely an improvement from Omaha weather and the fact I don’t even need a jacket –let alone a scarf, mittens, etc… makes me very happy. Tomorrow’s outlook on weather.com is promising as well.
" Fri Jan 9: Sunny with a High of 68°, Low of 42°, 0% chance of precipitation"

Jacob bringing me tea & bottle water (which is free) throughout the day, washing my car, and offering up breakfast this morning also makes me excited to be back in Kuwait. I will definitely miss Jacob and his wife when I leave. I have become very spoiled. So there – even though I have a stack of work to tackle and a serious case of jet lag I am glad to be in Kuwait.